Hood latch



April 23, 1957 Filed April 16, 1953 H. KRAUSE HOOD LATCH 3 Sheets-Sheet l 5y jarfi'er 5 Car???" .iztorneys H. KRAUSE HOOD LATCH April 23, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1955 Ina/en for HOOD LATCH Herbert Krause, Chicago, 111., assignor to Chicago Forgung and Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporatlon of Delaware Application April 16, 1953, Serial No. 349,120

'2 Claims. (Cl.'.292--3) This invention is directed to the art of automobile hood latches.

One object of thi invention is to provide a self-adjusting latch and keeper assembly whereina latch member is mounted for movement in such a manner with respect to the keeper so that when the keeper is moved out of its initial position, which may be due to Wear or other circumstances, the latch member is still effective to engage and hold the keeper in engaged position.

Another object of this invention i to provide an improved automobile hood latch and keeper assembly wherein the latch is eifective to hold the keeper in engaged position at a variety of keeper positions with respect to said latch.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved automobile hood latch and keeper assembly wherein the engaged portions or surfaces of the keeper and latch member are so proportioned with respect to one another that wear and gradual distortion of the keeper and latch surfaces are held to a minimum.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an automobile hood latch and keeper assembly wherein a safety latch and main latch are arranged for operation in unison and while, at the same time, are arranged so that breakage of the main latch does not disrupt operation of the safety latch.

Referring generally to the drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic showing of an automobile hood and closure therefor with certain portions broken away to show the latch of this invention in operative position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the latching device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is asectional view of the latch shown in Fig. 2 taken along the section line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

I Fig. 4 is a sectional View in plan of the latch shown in Figs. 2 and 3 taken along the section line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the keeper element employed in this invention;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the keeper element shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the latch shown in Fig. 4 taken along the section line 77 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the latch shown in Fig. 7 taken along section line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a modification of my invention.

Referring specifically now to the drawings, wherein like figures are designated by like characters throughout, and in the first instance to Fig. 1, 1 designates an automobile hood. It is provided with the usual closure memher 2 of the alligator-type. Closure member 2 is adapted to be swung about hinge members interconnected with the hood and closure member to allow the left-hand end of the closure member shown in Fig. 1 to be swung upwardly. 3 designates the customary spaced grill members of the automobile proper. The improved latching device of this invention is designatedgenerally at 4 in' ted States Patent Patented Apr. 23, -7

ice

Fig. 1. It includes a keeper and akeeper-engaging latch assembly adapted'one to be mounted on the closure and the other on the hood.

As will be seen best in Fig. 2, a latch-supporting base member 5 is mounted upon a transversely extending 'supporting element-6 of the automobile hood. A vertically extending keeper member 7 is mounted upon a transversely extending supporting element 8 of the closure. The latch-supporting member 5, which may be formed of sheet metal, is generally U-shaped inform, as will be seen best in Fig. 3. It includes depending wall members 9 and 10 that extend generally in a fore-and-aft direction with respect to the automobile, and attaching flange'mem bers 11 and 12 adapted to receive a suitable connecting means, such as a bolt and nut assembly 13 and 14, for connection to the supporting element 6. The supporting memberS includes a generally horizontal bottom portion 15 spaced downwardly from the supporting element 6. The walls 9 and 10, bottom portion 15 and flanges -11 and 12 are preferably integrally formed. The supporting member 5 includes an upper generally plane member 16 which extends over the flanges 11 and 12-and is adapted, together with the flanges 11 and 12, to receive the "connecting means 13 and 14. If desired, suitable rivet's 17, or the like, may be employed to secure the upper member 16to the flanges Hand 12. The upper member 16 is provided with a generally centrally located aperture 18, as will be seen best in Fig. 4, which is adapted to receive the keeper 7. Keeper 'guiding members 19 and 20 are positioned on opposite sides of the aperture 18. The keeper-guiding members 19 and 20 include generally inclined portions and lower portions which extend substantially into the space between the lower member 15 and upper member 16.

The keeper 7 is provided with a generally elongated latch-engaging portion 21 and is provided with attaching flanges 22 and 23 formed integrally therewith, as will be seen best in Figs. 5 and 6. The attaching flange 22 and 23 are secured to a supporting element 8 of the closure, as by means of any suitable bolt and nut connecting means 24 and 25, as will be seen best in Fig. 3. One flange is provided with an extension 26 provided with an upturned auxiliary keeper portion 27 for a purpose that will be presently pointed out. Keeper 7 is provided with generally parallel, spaced and plane wall portions 28 and 29, which are preferably formed integrally with the keeper as an entirety, and extending throughout the elongated length of the keeper.

As the closure 2 moves towards its closed position, seen in Fig. 2, the elongated portion 21 of the keeper member penetrates the aperture 18 in the latch-supporting member and i guided by the downwardly extending members 19 and 20. The keeper '7 is of a length pro viding for penetration through the aperture to a point where the lower portion of the keeper approaches the bottom member 15 of the latch-supporting member.

A floating latch member 30 is positioned in the space between the side members 9 and 1t) and is adapted to engage the keeper 7. Latch member 30 includes a generally flat plate portion having one end 30:: slidab'ly re ceived in a slot 31 in the wall 9, as will be seen best in Figs. 2 and 7. The other end 32 of the latch member extends through a generally enlarged opening 33 formed in the side member 10. The latch member 31) is provided with a central aperture 34 having a length generally equal to but slightly greater than the cross-sectional length of the keeper portion 21 and a width greater than thecrosssectional width of the keeper portion 21, thus allowing the keeper portion 21 to penetrate through the aperture 34 in-the latch member 30; The latch member 30 may move in" a sidewisedirection with respect"to'theniembe'is' 9 and 10 and may also move in a vertical direction generally about the slot 31 as a pivot. Sidewise movement of the latch member is limited to a predetermined amount by downwardly extending flanges 35 and 36 on the member 34 which are adapted to abut against the inner walls of the members 9 and 10 upon a predetermined amount of sideways movement of the latch member 29.

A spring-retaining member 37 is struck downwardly from the latch member 30 and is adapted to receive thereabouts a coiled spring 38, which has an opposite end portion seated in a depression 39 formed in the bottom wall 15. The resiliency of spring 33 constantly biases the latch member 30 upwardly about the slot 31 as a pivot.

When the latch member 39 is in a generally horizontal position, the keeper 7 may penetrate the aperture 34 in the latch member 30 without restriction of its movement by the latch member 30. However, when the latch member 30 moves upwardly towards the position shown in Fig. 7, or inclined to the axis of the keeper, the eifective length of the aperture 34 is shortened and the side walls 34a and 34b of the aperture engage the side Walls 28 and 29 of the keeper.

The spring 38 constantly biases the latch member 30 toward keeper-gripping position. As the keeper tends to move upwardly it tends to further the inclination of the latch member 30 and thereby decrease the effective length of the aperture 34, thus effecting a more firm engagement of the keeper 7 by the latch member 30. However, when the keeper 7 moves downwardly with respect to the latch member 30, it tends to force the latch member 30 towards its horizontal position, thus increasing the effective length of the aperture 34 and the keeper therefore may penetrate as far as the closure 2 and hood will permit, without substantial restriction on the closing movement.

As the closure 2 moves toward the hood 1, the keeper 7 will move through the aperture 18 in the top plate 16 and engage the latch member 30. The keeper will force the latch member 30 downwardly to a point Where the efi'ective length of the aperture 34 is such as to allow the keeper 7 to penetrate through the aperture 34 of the latch member 30. The keeper 7 may move through the latch member 30 to the point where further movement is limited by the hood and closure. At any point in the penetration of the latch member 30, the latch member 30 will frictionally engage the surfaces 28 and 29 of the keeper member 7 and preclude upward movement.

A latch-operating member or lever 40 is pivotally mounted as at 40a for movement about a horizontal axis on an outwardly extending stop member 40b, which may be suitably mounted on the latch-supporting member 5. The latch-operating lever 40 includes a thumb-piece 400 which is adapted to extend between the grill pieces 3 of the hood. A stop 40d limits movement of the lever 40. The latch-operating lever 40 extends through the space between the side members 9 and 10 and is provided with a laterally extending flange 41, which is adapted for camming engagement with the upper surface of the latch member 30. Latch operating lever 40 is extended through the latch support 5 and is provided with an upwardly extending portion 42 and a generally hooked portion 43, which is adapted to overlie the auxiliary keeper 27 and serve as a safety latch.

A spring 44 is connected between a portion 45 of the latch lever and the bottom member 15 of the latch member support. Spring 44 serves to bias the latch operating lever 40 in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2, or in a direction to bias the latch member engaging portion 41 upwardly and away from the latch member 30. Clockwise movement of the latch-operating lever 40, as shown in Fig. 2, will bring the portion 41 into camming engagement with the latch member 30 and force the latch member 30 downwardly to a point where the keeper 7 is released. At the same time, this same movement swings the safety latch 43 out of alignment with the projection 27, thus allowing free upward movementof the closure 2 with respect to the hood 1.

The safety latch 43 is so proportioned with relation to the keeper and projection 27 that just after the keeper 7 moves upwardly sufficiently to move out of engagement with the latch member 30, the auxiliary keeper, or projection formed by the projection 27, is engaged by the safety latch 43.

Referring now to Fig. 9, I illustrate a modification of my invention. In this modification a vertically extending keeper 47 is mounted on a structural element 48 on the automobile hood 1a, as by means of any suitable connection 49. The keeper 47 has a latch-engaging portion provided with spaced parallel side walls similar to the side Walls of the keeper shown in Fig. 6. The keeper 47 is provided with an auxiliary keeper member 50 which extends forwardly with respect to the keeper 47 and is adapted for engagement by a safety latch member 51. A latch member support 52 is provided with spaced upstanding side members, similar to the side members shown in Fig. 7, and in this modification the side members are provided with attaching flanges 53 which, as shown, are adapted for connection to an inclined structural element 54 on the closure 2a, as by means of any suitable connection 55.

A floating latch lever or member 56 is mounted in the upstanding side members of the support 52. In all material aspects the operative relationship of the latch mem ber 56 to its keeper is similar to the latch member 30 and keeper 7, shown in Figs. 1 through 8 inclusive. A coil spring 52b has one end portion seated against a structural portion 52a of the support 52 and the other end bearing against the latch member 56, so as to bias one end of the latch member 56 downwardly into griping engagement with the generally elongated keeper portion 47a. A latch-actuating lever 57 is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis on the support 52, as at 58. The latch-actuating member 57 includes a camming surface or flange portion 59 adapted, during clockwise movement of the actuating lever 57, to move the latch member 56 out of gripping engagement with the keeper portion 47a. A coil spring 60 is connected between the supporting member 52 and a portion of the lever 57, as at 61, to bias the actuating lever 57 away from latchreleasing position. Latch lever 57 is provided with any suitable forwardly extending thumb-piece or finger-piece 63, which extends adjacent the space between adjacent grill members 3a. A stop member 57a limits movement of the lever 57.

In operation, the modification shown in Fig. 9 is similar to the operation of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 8. The latch member 56 is adapted for gripping engagement with the keeper portion 47a during an extended range of movement of the closure 2a away from the hood 1a. The safety latch member 51 is adapted for engagement with the auxiliary keeper 50 when the latch lever 56 has moved away from the keeper portion 47a sufiiciently to preclude engagement of the latch member 56 with the keeper 47a. Clockwise movement of the latch-actuating member 57 moves the latch member 56 out of engagement with the keeper 47a and also moves the safety latch 51 out of engaging relation with the auxiliary keeper 50.

Whereas I have shown and described an operative device, I wish it to be understood that this showing is to be taken in an illustrative or diagrammatic sense. There are many modifications of the invention that will fall within the scope of the invention that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention, therefore, should be limited only by the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

I provide a keeper and a latch assembly which are adapted for mounting on an automobile hood and closure. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 8,

inclusive, the keeper is mounted on the closure, while the latch assembly is mounted on the hood, whereas in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 9 the latch assembly is mounted on the closure and the keeper is mounted on the hood.

When the parts are thus mounted, movement of the closure 2 towards the hood will result in the keeper and latch member moving towards one another. As the closure approaches the hood, the keeper 7 will strike the latch member 30 and move the latch member downwardly about the slot 31 as a pivot to a point where the keeper penetrates theaperture in the latch member 30. The floating mount of the latch member 30 permits the latch member toaccommodate itself to the keeper in case the keeper is out of alignment with the assembly as a whole. Movement of the keeper 7 downwardly is not precluded by the latch member 30. The keeper 7 will move downwardly as far as the downward movement of the closure member 2 will permit.

At a point in the downward movement of the keeper 7 through the aperture 34 the latch member 30 will grip the keeper 7 in view of the bias of the spring 38. In case the keeper 7 tends to move upwardly with respect to the latch member 30, the frictional engagement of the latch member 30 will result in a more positive engagement with the keeper 7. At any engaged point, substantial surface areas on the latch member 30 and keeper 7 are in contact, insuring maximum frictional engagement while distributing wear and deterioration throughout the keeper surfaces and latch surfaces. Thus the effective wear is held to a minimum.

In case the keeper 7 moves out of engagement with the latch member 30, such as in case the latch member 30 is broken or in case the keeper slips out of engagement with the latch member 30, the safety latch member 43 will engage the auxiliary keeper 27 and preclude further upward movement of the closure 2 away from the hood 1.

When it is desired to release the closure 2 for movement away from the hood 1, an operator simply inserts his hand through the grill members 3 and pulls upwardly on the latch-operating lever 40 by means of the handle portion 400, thus moving the floating latch lever 30 downwardly to a point where the keeper 7 is released and at the same time the safety latch 43 is moved out of engagement with the auxiliary keeper 27.

Operation of the modification shown in Fig. 9 is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 through 8. If for some reason the latch member 56 becomes accidentally disengaged from the keeper 47a, the safety latch 51 will engage the auxiliary keeper 50. When it is desired to release the latch assembly, the operator simply inserts his fingers through the grill pieces 3a and lifts upwardly on the projection 63, thus moving the camming portion 59 of the latch lever into engagement with the latch member S6 and releasing the keeper from the latch member and vice versa, allowing the closure 2a to move upwardly from 1. In an automobile hood latch assembly for use with an automobile hood and closure therefor, a base and a keeper, adapted one to be mounted on the automobile hood and the other on the closure, said base having an aperture adapted for penetration by the keeper upon relative movement of the closure and hood toward closed position, a housing on said base, said housing including a pair of spaced side walls and-a cross-wall joining said side wall, a latch member disposed in said housing in the path of movement of said keeper, said .latch member comprising a plate having an aperture in alignment with said base aperture and adapted for frictional engagement with said keeper, said plate having one end thereof pivotally mounted in a side wall of said housing, resilient means for passing said member toward keeper-engaging position, said resilient means comprising a spring positioned within said housing entirely on one side of the path of movement of said keeper and beyond said path from the pivoted end of said plate, said spring being compressible and ex pandible in a path paralleling the path of movement of said keeper within said housing, a well in said cross-wall, an car on said latch member adjacent the opposite end thereof and extending toward said well, said spring having one end thereof seated within said well and its opposite end engaging said plate about said ear and means for releasing said latch member from latching engagement with said keeper, said last named means comprising a lever pivotally mounted on said housing and having a portion extending therewithin, said lever portion having an abutment movable into engagement with said plate member in response to rotation of said lever, said abutment being movable in substantial alignment with the plane of said spring and against the action thereof to move said latch member toward non-latching position.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said keeper is provided with a portion spaced from the keeper portion engaged by said latch member and wherein said lever is provided with an integral safety hook portion adjacent one end thereof, said safety hook element being movable into and out of a position of alignment with said spaced keeper portion in response to rotation of said lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,232,865 Pizzo Feb. 25, 1941 2,253,660 Tell Aug. 26, 1941 2,391,884 De Orlow .a Jan. 1, 1946 2,492,683 Gland-Mantle Dec. 27, 1949 

